Running Head: SAD
Social Anxiety Disorder
Ayla Kraninger
Holmes Community College
Social Anxiety Disorder, also known as SAD or Social Phobia, is the fear of going to a social situation in which one may have to interact with other people. Social anxiety disorder normally has an early onset starting in childhood and pubescence. The average age of onset is 13 years of age. Social anxiety disorder can and will lessen educational progress and social skill, therefore hindering one’s professional improvement. People with social anxiety disorder may be negative toward themselves, always putting themselves down, and having a lot of self-pity. Many with this disorder will refrain from making eye contact and will most likely answer a question with a brief answer in fear of sounding ridiculous around other people.
About fifteen million American adults are affected by social anxiety disorder. Gender is not a factor when it comes to who will have this disorder. Men and women have even odds of developing this disorder. Genetics may play a factor with who develops this disorder and who does not. The percentages of children having this disorder is lower than adults. The highest percentage in children is 6.9% with children ages 17 and 18, while the highest percentage in adults is 14.3% with adults ages 30 to 44. People who have this disorder may also have other anxiety disorders or depression. If a person with this disorder is trying to self-medicate their disorder, they may become dependent on substances that make them feel able to go in social environments without fear.
There are many symptoms involved with social anxiety disorder. People who have this disorder wish they could talk or be with other people, but they are nervous around them and have a difficult time talking to others. They are also easily embarrassed around others, fearing that other will judge them. They may worry for up to weeks before an important events and may end...